Ministers out to appease Goddess of power

HEALTH MINISTER Ajay Vishnoi?s health may not suggest so but he has been keeping off food-grains for months from April 1 every year for the last 15 years. He says it is not part of any spiritual ritual. Last year he shunned grains for 100 days at a stretch.

HEALTH MINISTER Ajay Vishnoi’s health may not suggest so but he has been keeping off food-grains for months from April 1 every year for the last 15 years. He says it is not part of any spiritual ritual. Last year he shunned grains for 100 days at a stretch.

Most of his Cabinet colleagues are also steeped in Bhakti as Navratri is progressing. Goddess Durga symbolises power. No surprise, therefore, that ministers are Her great devout.

Narottam Mishra returned from Vaishno Devi today. Kailash Vijayvargiya left Bhopal a few days back for some unknown destination and speculation is that he headed for a special pooja. Gopal Bhargava too has kept fast and is busy in religious rituals.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan observes fast and silence (maun vrat) every year during Navratra preceding Dussehra. It would be his first such fast as the Chief Minister if he sticks to the vow and remains on the post till that time.

Rustam Singh said he observed fast on the first, fifth and eighth day of Navratra. He takes only water on these days. On the eighth day he preferred to go to his native place. He used to visit Maihar Devi temple and other temples.

He said he felt that he accomplished several tough tasks when he was in police with the Goddess’ blessings. Narottam Mishra said whenever he was at Dabra, his native place, he took water only after visiting Mata Mandir, a km away, after morning bath. This ritual went on round the year.

Prakash Sonkar’s faith in the Goddess well reflects in naming of his business like Sharda Roadways, Sharda Hostels, and Sharda Hotel.

Vijay Shah observes traditional pooja during Navratra. His family members, including his mother and grandmother, don’t miss the occasion either to observe the rituals.

Narayan Singh Kushwah does not observe fast because of his diabetes. Nonetheless, he and his family members perform pooja during Navratra and visit temples.

Rampal Singh observes fast during Navratra and attend yajna and havans in his assembly constituency. All these ministers averred that whatever they are today they are because of the Goddess Durga’s blessings. However, Babulal Gaur and Ajay Vishnoi don’t believe in observing rituals though they have faith in the deity.

Gaur performs pooja at his bungalow as a part of his routine chores. Kailash Vijayvargiya, in the capacity as Simhastha In-charge Minister in 2004, had shunned food-grains for over a month till successful completion of the Mela.